Accused inciter of assault that killed a student is released from jail

Student, 15, died after altercation

NEW BRAUNFELS — A judge this week released the second teen facing a murder charge in the punching death of student Logan Davidson at Canyon High School on Nov. 12, 2013.

Jailed since his arrest in January in lieu of $50,000 bail, Enrique R. Gonzales II was released Tuesday on a personal recognizance bond by state District Judge Gary Steel.

Prosecutor Christine Rankin told the judge that Gonzales had admitted inciting the altercation that led a classmate to punch Davidson, 15, who died after striking his head on a wall in the resulting fall.

Steel released Gonzales after hearing arguments and reviewing video in chambers showing Davidson being hit and the police interview with Gonzales, 18.

The trial of the punching suspect, a 16-year-old boy, was slated to begin Monday in juvenile court, but his lawyer, Joseph Garcia, said Thursday that it’s now set for April.

His client, also free without bail, said in an interview in January that he didn’t intend to kill Davidson but had been provoked into hitting him by Davidson throwing spitballs, erasers, chewed gum and other items at him in science class.

Garcia had expressed surprise at the arrest 14 months after the incident of Gonzales, who reportedly had joined Davidson in pelting the juvenile with objects. Garcia said his client was unaware of Gonzales’ alleged role.

While awaiting trial, Gonzales will stay at the Waco home of his grandparents, Ricky and Elizabeth Gonzales, with whom he’s previously resided, according to testimony at the bail reduction hearing.

Gonzales’ lawyers declined comment on the charge against him, but Elizabeth Gonzales said the family was shocked by his arrest.

“It’s totally insane because I was told he never threw a punch,” she said outside the hearing.

On the stand, Elizabeth Gonzales testified that her grandson had obeyed her house rules in the past and steered clear of trouble .

She said she had no knowledge of him affiliating with a gang while in Waco, as the prosecutor asserted police had been told.

Davidson’s family and prosecutors have declined comment on the pending cases.